[Illustration:  Toilet Glass.

Urn Stand.

(From “Hepplewhite’s Guide".)]

The names given to some of these designs appear curious; for instance: 

“Rudd’s table or reflecting dressing table,” so called from the first one having been invented for a popular character of that time.

“Knife cases,” for the reception of the knives which were kept in them, and used to “garnish” the sideboards.

“Cabriole chair,” implying a stuffed back, and not having reference, as it does now, to the curved form of the leg.

“Bar backed sofa,” being what we should now term a three or four chair settee, i.e., like so many chairs joined and having an arm at either end.

“Library case” instead of Bookcase.

“Confidante” and “Duchesse,” which were sofas of the time.

“Gouty stool,” a stool having an adjustable top.

“Tea chest,” “Urn stand,” and other names which have now disappeared from ordinary use in describing similar articles.

[Illustration:  Ladies’ Secretaires, Designed by W. Ince. (Reproduced by Photography from an old Print in the Author’s possession.)]

[Illustration:  Parlour Chairs, Designed by W. Ince.]

[Illustration:  Desk and Bookcase, Designed by W. Ince. (Reproduced by Photography from an old Print in the Author’s possession.)]

[Illustration:  China Cabinet, Designed by J. Mayhew. (Reproduced from an old Print in the Author’s possession).]

[Illustration:  “Dressing Chairs,” Designed by J. Mayhew.  These shew the influence of Sir W. Chamber’s Chinese style.]

Hepplewhite had a specialite, to which he alludes in his book, and of which he gives several designs.  This was his japanned or painted furniture:  the wood was coated with a preparation after the manner of Chinese or Japanese lacquer, and then decorated, generally with gold on a black ground, the designs being in fruits and flowers:  and also medallions painted in the style of Cipriani and Angelica Kauffmann.  Subsequently, furniture of this character, instead of being japanned, was only painted white.  It is probable that many of the chairs of this time which one sees, of wood of inferior quality, and with scarcely any ornament, were originally decorated in the manner just described, and therefore the “carving” of details would have been superfluous.  Injury to the enamelling by wear and tear was most likely the cause of their being stripped of their rubbed and partly obliterated decorations, and they were then stained and polished, presenting an appearance which is scarcely just to the designer and manufacturer.

In some of Hepplewhite’s chairs, too, as in those of Sheraton, one may fancy one sees evidence of the squabbles of two fashionable factions of this time, “the Court party” and the “Prince’s party,” the latter having the well known Prince of Wales’ plumes very prominent, and forming the ornamental support of the back of the chair.  Another noticeable enrichment is the carving of wheat ears on the shield shape backs of the chairs.